21st October 2021
HSE's knowledge and expertise in the safe use of gaseous
and liquid hydrogen is helping the Aerospace Technology Institute
(ATI) assess the risks and safety implications of using hydrogen as
part of its FlyZero programme.
Led by the ATI and backed by the UK Government, FlyZero is a
research project aiming to make zero-carbon emission air travel
possible by the end of the decade and position the UK at the
forefront of sustainable flight in terms of design, manufacture,
technology and skills.
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Image published with kind permission of the Aerospace
Technology Institute
HSE, through
its Research and Consultancy services, will support a work
package designed to assess the risks and safety implications that
the storage, distribution and refuelling of hydrogen, on both the
ground and on aircraft, may pose.
HSE will conduct a multi-phased review of the physical
properties of hydrogen and apply them to aircraft release hazard
scenarios. This will include a comparative review of the relevant
Regulations, Codes and Standards (RCS) that would apply to an
airport using hydrogen.
Based at HSE's Science and Research Centre, an extensive,
large-scale experimental facility in Buxton, Derbyshire, the
project team will draw upon over twenty years of world-leading,
cutting-edge research looking into the practicality, risk and
safety issues associated with utilising hydrogen as a source of
energy.
Recent and current projects conducted by the HSE team include
separate international pre-normative research projects on liquid
hydrogen safety and the safety of hydrogen in confined spaces.
HSE Research and Consultancy, which is independent from HSE's
regulatory and policy functions and based within its Science
Division, is also involved in a range of international
representation work at ISO, IEA, IPHE, European Commission and the
International Association for Hydrogen Safety.
Speaking about this work, HSE's Aerospace Sector Manager Dr
Nigel Moss said:
'We are delighted to be sharing our expertise in
hydrogen safety with the FlyZero programme to help make
zero-emission aviation not only a reality, but a safe environment
for passengers and workers in the industry'.
FlyZero Project Director Chris Gear said:
'Hydrogen has huge potential to enable zero-carbon
emission commercial flight and our work with HSE will help the UK
aerospace sector to safely unlock its capability to power the next
generation of aircraft into our skies'.
To find out more about the FlyZero programme, please visit the ATI
website.
FlyZero's first report Primary Energy Source Comparison
& Selection published in September 2021 identified liquid
hydrogen as the fuel of the future owing to its very high power to
weight ratio and zero-carbon emission credentials.
Download the report to find out more.
To learn why HSE Research and Consultancy is the ideal
safety partner to assist with the development of the sustainable
fuels, zero-emission aircraft and airport infrastructure required
for 'jet zero', watch
this short video from Kate Jeffrey.